The decision on the extraordinary meeting was made at a party board meeting in the morning.
Now that the details have been set, the election committee can start working on finding a candidate in earnest.
The party board has not said anything about what type of candidate should be presented, nor how the process will go and whether it will be open or internal.
The party board has not given any directives, it's up to the election committee, says Karin Ernlund.
Accepting Nominations
The election committee will now start accepting nominations.
Do you see any risk with the short time frame until May 3rd?
It's clear that time is tight, but I've also had a dialogue with the election committee and they'll handle it, says Ernlund.
The chairman of the election committee, Anders Åkesson, states that they will have "close contact" with all parts of the Center Party and also with its sibling organizations.
"The election committee will make its proposal public as soon as possible before the extraordinary meeting", he writes in an SMS.
He does not want to answer follow-up questions about the process ahead and what kind of candidate they are looking for.
None of the individuals who have been mentioned in speculations have announced that they will run.
Not Running
Muharrem Demirok announced on Monday that he is resigning. The internal discontent with him has been about the party's weak opinion support and the perception that Demirok has tried to get the party to back S-leader Magdalena Andersson as prime minister candidate.
Karin Ernlund does not want to further comment on his resignation and not say how long she knew about it before he announced it.
Has it opened up a big wound in the party?
It's clear that it's tough for a party when something like this happens. But my full focus now is to gather the party and start planning for the extraordinary meeting.
Karin Ernlund says she will not run for party leader.
Some of those mentioned in speculations:
Member of Parliament Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist
Group leader in Parliament Daniel Bäckström
LRF's CEO Anna Karin Hatt
Justice policy spokesperson Ulrika Liljeberg
EU parliamentarian Emma Wiesner
Member of Parliament Helena Lindahl
Former economic policy spokesperson Emil Källström - has already declined
